Founding Date:	1977
Address:	364 Grand Avenue East Chatham, Ontario N7W 5K4
Telephone:	519-436-0040
Website:	ckportugueseclub.ca

Ambition and vision keep the organization dynamic

Audio Version:

Between London and Windsor, Chatham extends north of the 401 flat, quiet, and welcoming. Minutes east of downtown, the Portuguese Club welcomes you.

The building was inaugurated in 1997. However, the history of the Portuguese Canadian Social Club of Chatham already dates back to the start of the ’70s when families who resided in the area decided to organize events in school gymnasiums. Antonio Do Forno was the first President of the association. Two years after the first event, the club moved to a rented hall on Queen Street. 

In the first few years, the club focused on organizing social events such as dances. However, the purchase of the current property helped the club grow in its ability to offer other activities to its members. 

This step brought much pride to the local Portuguese community, making it more convenient for people to meet and celebrate their heritage. 

The acquisition of the current land was phased into three stages. The purchase of the land where the building is located, then the acquisition of land to the west, and later the purchase of land to the east. As a result of these purchases, the club was able to increase its parking capacity and to build facilities such as a volleyball court.    

The involvement of youth is a noteworthy accomplishment of the association. At one point, the executive was composed of Luso-Canadians all across three generations. 

There are a few key factors for the involvement of youth. The volleyball court is one of them, but the association goes the extra mile to facilitate the youth’s participation by organizing events such as dances with modern music.

The dynamism of this association is not only limited to the social and sporting aspect (the club has a football team) but also focuses on the cultural aspect through its folklore group. 

António do Forno, one of the founders of the group and its first President, summarized the evolution of the folk group in an interview with Luso-Ontario Magazine, in 2008: “We had a group with recorded music. We didn’t have any musicians. In October of 2006 we started having live music when a Windsor family offered to participate. The music is typically from Alto Minho and so are the dances. It’s a folk group that has a minhota influence.”

In this interview, António do Forno alluded to the idea of forming an alliance with the other Portuguese organizations in Southern Ontario. “From London to Windsor. We could meet a few times a year and discuss some of the things the clubs are doing so we can learn from each other.” It is a noble idea that hasn’t yet taken shape but that could be crucial for the maintenance of the Portuguese heritage for generations to come.

With files from Luso-Ontario Magazine, 2008

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